PREMIER LEAGUE
Who will win the title?
Adrian Clarke: Manchester City will be favourites to win their fifth consecutive title, but I do feel it could be Arsenal’s time to be champions. The team has improved under Mikel Arteta season after season, and if that happens again the Gunners will reach 90+ points. With a few additions and fire in their belly, I fancy Arsenal to end their wait for the title.
Adrian Kajumba: Surely Man City cannot do it again. There has to be a drop-off at some point after what is now four Premier League titles in a row. Meanwhile, Arsenal are the coming force. After two title-race test runs in 2022/23 and 2023/24, this campaign will be their time.
Alex Keble: Arsenal. Surely Man City will run out of steam eventually and with Pep Guardiola refusing to be drawn on his future uncertainty may cause performances to wane. That is especially likely with Ederson rumoured to leave and Guardiola confirming that Savinho will be the only major signing. That means issues in central midfield will persist, a stark contrast to Arsenal strengthening their own weak spot with the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori. If Arteta adds a striker, Arsenal will quite simply be a better team than Man City.
Ben Bloom: If this is to be Guardiola’s final campaign in charge there will be even greater incentive for a true Premier League great to bow out on a high. It’s not an interesting prediction – and a couple of clubs are capable of running them close – but, as ever, it will be a surprise if Man City don’t win.
Verdict: Champions
Clarke: Arsenal
Kajumba: Arsenal
Keble: Arsenal
Bloom: Man City
Who will finish in top four?
Adrian Clarke: Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs. I see the title race being more of a two-horse race this season as Liverpool adjust to Arne Slot’s rebuild at Anfield. I do feel that Tottenham Hotspur have a great chance of landing top four this season, but Ange Postecoglou will want more players to come in before the end of August that suit his style.
Adrian Kajumba: Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Spurs. Manchester United will not be as inconsistent and hit with injuries as they were during 2023/24 which will make a big difference. With Spurs having the foundations of last season to build on under Postecoglou, at this stage, I’d tip them to finish fourth ahead of their potential competition.
Alex Keble: Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Aston Villa. More upheaval at Chelsea, another turbulent season for Man Utd (if pre-season is anything to go by) and the potential for a difficult second season for Postecoglou – whose lack of a “plan b” means Spurs risk being found out – points to a repeat of last season’s top four.
Ben Bloom: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool. While I can’t see anyone beating City to top spot, I expect the battle for the top four to be incredibly close. Chelsea have an interesting new head coach in Enzo Maresca and some steadily improving strength within their head-spinning depth. It may well take time to gel but I can see them going well. Arsenal and Liverpool have proven themselves at the top table on multiple occasions.
Verdict: Top four
Clarke: Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs
Kajumba: Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Spurs
Keble: Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Villa
Bloom: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool
